us as instructors have been in the field..implementing our expertise into class and really making it exciting gets the students excited as well, and ready to go tackle the field
Rose,
Students really perk up when their instructor shares a story from the field. These stories help to give relevance and application to the content. This increases their motivation to do well in the course and move closer to their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Linda,
You have a great blend of instructional methods and strategies to keep your students engaged. This is what creative teaching should be about and your success shown the results of your efforts.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like to be enthusiastic and use examples or short stories from my experiences in the field, I also like to motivate them with verbal recognition that they are doing a good job.
I'm an animated, critical thinking and energetic type of instructor. I set the stage with a lecture questions, then open the floor to the students for their interpretation. Once the students have expressed their thoughts, I reinforce the information using the textbook and personal experience. When I taught microeconomics many years ago, student were learning the step to microeconomics and incorporated the information into their projects; each week the student built another tier to "My New Business". I also had specialist from the field to reinforce current information.
Leticia,
Giving your students a realistic picture of the field via the sharing of stories and examples is an important part of the teaching/learning process. They need to know what to expect when they are out in the field and why the content you are sharing is valuable to their future. This increases the ROI of the course for the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe Instructors can moviate their students by being engaging and excited about their field. It's about stepping out of the box and teaching the reality of the field that they are going to be in. Share not only your sucesses but your mistakes, and let them know that everyone is human and learning is part of the process to being great.
Nancy,
Like your style and your energy. The more activities of these types you can bring into the class the better because you are showing your students the relevancy of what they are studying via current events. Passion and energy are two essential elements needed for teaching as well as student success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
We all have every busy lives and some of my students seem to drag into class. Energy can be contagious, so I try to bring high energy to the class everyday. I also like to start the class with a period of current events that are connected to healthcare that students share. I try to tie the current event into the subject we are learning and students share comments or ask questions that I feel really helps them understand. Current Event times are sometimes my favorite part of the class.
As you have mentioned, having expertise and knowledge of your subject matter. I like to bring real life examples to the class as well as in the form of stories that have relevance. At times, I will end the class with a "What did you learn today?" session. This can reinforce their reason for learning. Your own personal enthusiasm is key, even if you need to instruct students about filing cabinets (like I do). :)
Sean,
Students like to hear examples of relevancy and application of the content. By sharing these examples you increase the value of the the course to the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find that my students are invigorated when I give examples used in the field on the day's topics studied. They tend to remember the skills taught and internalize then when they ask questions or discuss them.
Using basic principles for all students goals. Not all students learn the same. Some are multitaskers some are not. I think using an individual approach ... give the class an overview and outline of sorts. Let them have a chance to make their own realistic goal path. Then individually see what strengths and weaknesses will help that path.
Katelyn,
Well said. You are setting the standard for their field through your modeling efforts. This is an awesome responsibility but one that we can relish because we are preparing the next generation to enter our field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think being a role model for them is motivating. I am a Respiratory Therapist and for them to see that I have been successful and they can do it too helps a lot. Also I try to help them get excited about the field and taking care of others.
I teach code and it can be very daunting to look at for the students. One way I motivate my students is to remind them of how much they have already learned and that I as the instructor have noticed their progress regardless of the student's pace of retention. Often I find celebrating the student's understanding of a small concept help builds their understanding of the next more complex concept.
Stacy,
These experiences from the field as told by their instructors help to show the value of the course to the students. They make the content to come alive and have relevance for the students and their future careers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Being enthusiastic about the course you are teaching and providing real life application of the new information are great ways to motivate students. I always try to give personal experiences that provide direct examples of how the course relates to the field (healthcare).
Martha,
Passion for one's field and enthusiasm for teaching about it are two critical elements needed by instructors. You are showing your students you love your work and that you are willing to help them enter it if they are willing to put forth the needed effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
By loving what you do. Setting up field trips and guest speakers that love the job also. To me shows that you care and want them to see what they have to look forward to. If they are in a slump maybe just the thing to remind them why they are there.
